Understanding New Cachexia Subtypes Through Observational Epidemiological Research

Kaiser Permanente800 enrolled

Overview

The UNCOVER study is a longitudinal observational cohort focused on patients at high risk for cancer cachexia. At Kaiser Permanente Northern California, up to 800 individuals with advanced or unresectable non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, or colorectal cancer will be enrolled, as these malignancies carry a substantial risk of cancer cachexia, which is characterized by progressive loss of weight, muscle, and adipose tissue, accompanied by functional decline and reduced quality of life. Data collected includes demographic, physiologic, and clinical data, including tumor characteristics and biomarkers of inflammation, hormonal and metabolic status, body composition, physical function, and patient reported outcomes. Investigators will identify patient phenotypes (i.e., subgroups) that may reflect distinct biological or clinical pathways underlying cancer cachexia. By characterizing heterogeneity in cancer cachexia, this study aims to inform the development of improved diagnostic criteria and more targeted therapeutic strategies, ultimately enhancing clinical trial design and supportive care for patients with advanced colorectal, lung, or pancreatic cancer.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To identify multiple distinct diagnostic phenotypes within the syndrome of cancer cachexia as defined by host characteristics (e.g. cachexia symptoms, physical activity, physical function, blood biomarkers, and body composition) at baseline and change in these factors over time in patients with cancer at high risk for cancer cachexia. II. To determine the association of each cancer cachexia phenotype with overall survival. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the association of each cancer cachexia phenotype with functional decline and treatment intolerance. II. To inform clinical practice guidelines for prompt recognition of patients likely to progress to refractory cachexia, identify early predictors apparent at clinical presentation of each cancer cachexia phenotype defined in the primary objective.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

800

Conditions

Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma

Interventions

Biospecimen CollectionPROCEDURE

Undergo collection of blood and archived tumor samples. A sub-sample undergo collection of stool samples.

Computed TomographyPROCEDURE

Undergo CT or PET/CT scan

Electronic health record reviewOTHER

Electronic Health Record Review

Medical Device Usage and EvaluationOTHER

Wear actigraph

Physical functions assessmentsOTHER

Undergo physical function assessments including 30-second bicep curl, timed up and go (TUG), and 30-second sit to stand

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)PROCEDURE

Undergo PET/CT scan

Survey AdministrationOTHER

Complete surveys

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Have a primary diagnosis of unresectable or Stage IV 1) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 2) pancreatic adenocarcinoma, or 3) colorectal cancer (CRC). Note: Patients do not need to have cachexia to be eligible * Plan to start first line systemic anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy) in the next 6 weeks or has started first-line systemic therapy in the previous 6 weeks. Note: Patients who received systemic anti-cancer therapy previously as part of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy and have since recurred are still eligible if such treatment was longer than 6 months prior to enrollment. * Have an an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1 or 2. * Be able to understand, speak and read English. * Be 18 years or older Exclusion Criteria: * Have contraindications to physical function assessments (30-second bicep curl, Timed-Up-And-Go test, or 30-Second Sit to Stand test) per the treating provider or their designee. * Have any planned major surgeries within the next 3 months after enrollment to the best knowledge of the investigator/treating provider or their designee. * Have received chemotherapy or surgery for separate primary cancer within the past 3 years other than non-melanoma skin cancer. * Be pregnant or within 6 months postpartum.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Multiple distinct diagnostic cancer cachexia phenotypes

Phenotypes will be based on patient-reported symptoms, physical activity and function assessments, biomarkers, and body composition measured longitudinally using latent class analysis and other clustering methods.

Time frame: Baseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow up

Overall survival: time to death

Time to death will be assessed as the interval between phenotype ascertainment and death from any cause. Participants without a recorded death event will be censored at the end of available follow-up (e.g., end of health plan membership or the study observation period).

Time frame: Baseline to death (the event) or the last contact (censored), assessed up to 1 year follow up

Secondary Outcomes

Functional decline

Associations between each cancer cachexia phenotype and functional decline is a secondary outcome. Functional status will be measured at baseline and study completion by physical function assessments and patient-reported questionnaires.

Time frame: Baseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow up

Treatment intolerance

Treatment intolerance will be modeled as time to event outcomes. Treatment data including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy will be obtained from the electronic medical record.

Time frame: Baseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow up

Early predictors of decline

Logistic regression will be used to identify patient characteristics apparent at clinical presentation that are early predictors of each cancer cachexia phenotype, focusing on the high-risk phenotypes that are associated with poor outcomes.

Time frame: Baseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow up

Understanding New Cachexia Subtypes Through Observational Epidemiological Research

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts